Cherokees gives $100K to local school districts

Wednesday

TAHLEQUAH — The Cherokee Nation recently awarded $3.4 million to 91 school districts in northeast Oklahoma, including more than $100,000 to districts in Washington County.

TAHLEQUAH — The Cherokee Nation recently awarded $3.4 million to 91 school districts in northeast Oklahoma, including more than $100,000 to districts in Washington County.

Checks totaling $3.4 million were distributed on Feb. 14 to 91 school districts at the Cherokee Nation’s Public School Appreciation Day, held at Sequoyah High School. The money helps school districts in northeastern Oklahoma fill gaps in education funding.

School districts in Washington County received a total amount of $108,445. Of that, $66,039 was awarded to Bartlesville Public Schools; $22,985 was awarded to Dewey Public Schools;$14,990 was awarded to Caney Valley Public Schools; and $4,456 was awarded to Copan Public Schools.

Each year, the tribe allocates 38 percent of tax revenue from the sale of tribal car tags to help schools in the 14-county tribal jurisdiction. Schools have complete discretion over the funding, which is not earmarked for any specific purpose or student. Schools use the funds to pay for everything from additional teaching salaries, to advanced student coursework, to more classroom technology. Although the funds are allocated based on Cherokee student headcount, the money can be used to help any student or program administrators see fit.

"We are proud to make this record investment to our area schools. Our car tag compact with the state of Oklahoma is important because funds are partially earmarked for education," said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker. "As education budgets continue to be stretched thinner and thinner, the Cherokee Nation’s contributions to schools have only increased. We expect that trend to continue now that we’ve expanded our license plate service area to cover all of Tulsa, Muskogee and other areas. Our local schools are important partners to the Cherokee Nation, so this is a great way to help ensure their continued success."

According to the Cherokee Nation, the total donation to Oklahoma schools is up from $3.2 million last year.

The tribe has awarded $31.3 million to northeastern Oklahoma schools since the Cherokee Nation entered into a license plate compact with the state in 2001.

"The Cherokee Nation continues to make a positive impact in the classroom and on student learning," said Cherokee Nation Tax Administrator Sharon Swepston. "We thank the Cherokee citizens for purchasing our tribal car tags, which makes these contributions to our school districts possible."

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